Top 5 epic worlds ready for their big-screen moments
The vast and sprawling world of comics is brimming with untold stories, each waiting for a moment under the spotlight of film or television. While many have already made their way to the screen, some gems are still waiting in the wings, filled with characters and worlds that deserve their moment. Here’s a peek at a few of those stories that haven’t yet transitioned from page to screen—but absolutely should.
1. Saga by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples
Imagine a sprawling space opera where science fiction and fantasy intertwine effortlessly. At the heart of it, two lovers, fleeing from both sides of a galactic war, attempt to protect their newborn child. Their journey blends emotion, humor, and drama with epic battles and high-stakes adventures. What sets Saga apart is the deeply personal element—the push-and-pull of family dynamics and the lengths to which we’ll go to protect those we love.
The genre-blending magic of Saga would be an instant hit with audiences. The vast and imaginative universe makes it a visual spectacle, but it’s the emotional core—family, sacrifice, and survival—that would make it truly resonate. It’s a story that speaks to anyone who has ever wrestled with love, loss, or the impossible task of balancing personal desires with responsibility.
2. Y: The Last Man by Brian K. Vaughan and Pia Guerra
The world has changed—every mammal with a Y chromosome has mysteriously died, except for one man and his pet monkey. As the lone survivor, Yorick Brown must navigate a world where power, gender roles, and societal structures are completely upended. His journey is filled with adventure, mystery, and danger, but it also raises questions about identity and what it means to rebuild society from the ground up.
This isn’t just an action-packed survival story—it’s a timely exploration of gender dynamics and societal evolution. As our world grapples with similar questions about identity and power, this series would reflect those conversations in a way that’s both thought-provoking and wildly entertaining. The premise alone is enough to hook viewers, but the deeper layers of human behavior in the face of catastrophe are what would keep them coming back.
3. Fables by Bill Willingham
What happens when fairy-tale characters are forced to flee their homelands and hide in modern-day New York? Fables explores that question by reimagining beloved characters like Snow White, Bigby Wolf, and Prince Charming, giving them new complexities and challenges. In their new life, they must confront not only their pasts but also the danger that’s followed them.
There’s an undeniable charm in reimagining childhood heroes as flawed, complex adults living among us. A TV series would allow Fables to explore each character’s past, turning bedtime stories on their head. It combines the nostalgia of childhood stories with the dark realities of modern life. The characters, once seen as perfect icons, are given layers of complexity that make them relatable and flawed—just like us. Each episode could peel back the layers of a new character, offering a fresh take on stories we think we know while weaving them into a larger, ongoing mystery.
4. Locke & Key by Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodríguez
In the Locke family’s ancestral home, strange keys unlock even stranger powers, and with every discovery comes danger. As they uncover the secrets of their family’s past, the Lockes are thrust into a world of horror, fantasy, and mystery. It’s a story about grief, legacy, and the power hidden in the darkest corners of the past.
The idea of magical keys opens the door (pun intended) to endless creative possibilities. With each episode introducing a new key and its power, the show could be both visually stunning and endlessly inventive. But the real heart of the series is the family’s emotional journey. As they wrestle with loss and the weight of their legacy, viewers would be drawn in by the relatable struggle of trying to piece together broken lives. It’s more than a supernatural thriller—it’s a meditation on grief, family, and the legacy we leave behind.
5. East of West by Jonathan Hickman and Nick Dragotta
In a dystopian future where the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse are very real, East of West tells the story of Death’s quest for revenge in a world hanging on the edge of destruction. This is a world where Westerns meet science fiction, and alternate history collides with complex political intrigue.
The epic scale of East of West demands the grandest of visual treatments. With its intricate world-building and dramatic, multi-layered narrative, this series would offer viewers a rich, immersive experience. The story plays out like a visual epic, where every choice feels monumental, and the consequences reverberate across an intricately crafted universe. It’s the kind of story that would appeal to fans of sprawling epics like Game of Thrones or Westworld, while delving into themes of fate, power, and free will. It would pull audiences in with its scale and scope but leave them captivated by the depth of its philosophical underpinnings.
These stories are more than just ready for the screen—they’re begging for it. Each of them offers something unique, whether it’s the emotional weight of family, the thrill of adventure, or the philosophical questions they raise. They belong on screen, not just as entertainment but as explorations of the human condition wrapped in fantastical worlds. Whether they come to life in live-action or animation, they’re poised to be the next big thing. All they need now is the chance.
